Macon Mayhem eliminate Evansville Thunderbolts from SPHL Playoffs

MACON, Ga. -- The Evansville Thunderbolts had their season come to an end after falling to the Macon Mayhem, 8-0, in game three of the opening round playoff series Sunday evening.

The Mayhem surged ahead early with a pair of goals from Ian Ecklund and Dakota Klecha in the opening period. The defending President's Cup champions doubled their advantage in the second as Kevin Irwin and Dylan Vander Esch found the back of the net.

Macon left no doubt of the final outcome by posting four goals in the final period. The Mayhem advance to the semifinals after clinching a 2-1 series victory. Evansville out-shot its opposition 40-34 in its the final game of the season.

In game one of the series, the Thunderbolts secured the first playoff victory by an Evansville-based pro team since the IceMen won the Rod Davidson Cup in 2010. Evansville went 27-20-9 in the regular season and finished sixth in the standings with 63 points, a 25-point improvement from last season.